Samsung revealed its 2017 editions of the Galaxy A series in a press release earlier today. The news arrives just ahead of CES 2017 in Las Vegas, meaning there’s a chance we’ll get to go hands-on with them at the show. Until then, here’s a quick look at how the new Galaxy A7 — the high-end model of the series — compares to its 2016 counterpart.
The design of the two devices, while similar, differ in their shape: the Galaxy A7 featuring more pronounced curves on the edges and on the rear thanks to its 3D glass design. Further, the design of the Galaxy A7 (2017) also affords water and dust resistance with IP68 certification, and has a slightly larger display at 5.7-inches compared to 5.5-inches. Otherwise, the overall approach of the two is almost identical, with the buttons and sensors appearing in the same positions.
In terms of hardware components, the Galaxy A7 (2017) features improvements in almost every area. The processor, RAM, internal storage and battery all deliver some form of upgrade, but it’s the leap from 5 MP to 16 MP for the front-facing camera that may represent the most noticeable change.
The Galaxy A (2017) also benefits from USB-Type C connectivity, for faster charging and data transfer speeds, as well as an Always On display like the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge.
| Samsung Galaxy A7 (2017) | Samsung Galaxy A7 (2016) | |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 5.7-inch Full HD Super AMOLED, 386ppi, Corning Gorilla Glass 4, Always On Display | 5.5-inch Full HD Super AMOLED, 424ppi, Corning Gorilla Glass 4 |
| Processor | Exynos 7880 Octa, 1.9 GHz octa-core | Exynos 7580 Octa, 1.6 GHz octa-core |
| GPU | Mali-T830MP3 | Mali-T720MP2 |
| RAM | 3 GB | 2 GB |
| Storage | 32 GB | 16 GB |
| Software | Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow | Android 5.1.1 Lollipop |
| MicroSD | Yes, up to 256 GB | Yes, up to 128 GB |
| Rear camera | 16 MP CMOS, f/1.9, autofocus, OIS, 1080p video recording, | 13 MP CMOS, f/1.9, autofocus, OIS, 1080p video recording |
| Front camera | 16 MP, f/1.9 aperture, 1080p video recording | 5 MP, f/1.9 aperture, 1080p video recording |
| Fingerprint sensor | Yes | Yes |
| Battery | 3,600 mAh, fast charging, USB Type-C | 3,300 mAh, fast charging, microUSB v2.0 |
| Connectivity | Dual-SIM, LTE, FM Radio, dual-band Wi-Fi a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth v4.2, GPS | Dual-SIM, LTE, FM Radio, dual-band Wi-Fi a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth v4.1, GPS |
| Extras | MST technology (Samsung Pay), Samsung KNOX, IP68 certification | MST technology (Samsung Pay), Samsung KNOX |
| Dimensions and weight | 156.8 x 77.6 x 7.9 mm, (weight tbc) | 151.5 x 74.1 x 7.3 mm, 172 g |
How exactly the price of these devices will differ remains to be seen, but it’s rumored that the 2017 A7 will cost RM1,899, or about $424. Meanwhile, the A7 2016 went on sale for the equivalent of around $380 when it launched in January last year.
Though Samsung doesn’t appear to have offered any “game-changing” upgrade, it has improved most aspects of the phone and added a few extras. If it can keep the price in the same region as the last model, I can’t see why fans of the series would be disappointed.
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